An expected meeting between Burhan and Putin within days

A report published by the prestigious and widely read Russian daily newspaper Izvestia on Friday stated that Headvof the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan, will visit Moscow for a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Izvestia, according to the Sudan Tribune website, quoted the Sudanese Ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Siraj, as saying that the visit will take place ahead of the first Russian-Arab summit on October 15, with a potential Russian naval base in Sudan on the agenda.

This diplomatic move comes as Sudan seeks partners for post-conflict reconstruction following a devastating two-year civil war that shattered its economy and displaced millions.

Khartoum counts on Moscow as a key partner, building on a long history of diplomatic relations established in 1956. A key component of this cooperation is a long-term agreement to establish a logistics support facility for the Russian Navy on Sudan’s Red Sea coast, which Moscow says will contribute to regional stability.

Grigory Lukyanov, a Middle East expert at Russia’s HSE University, told the newspaper that the conflict has expanded the agenda between the two countries, with security now of paramount importance.

“Sudan’s strategic importance has not disappeared,” Lukyanov added, noting that while the naval base remains relevant, cooperation also extends to potential Russian investments in infrastructure and trade.

The meeting between the two leaders is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the inaugural Russia-Arab League summit, which is expected to address regional conflicts, including the wars in Gaza and Syria, as well as global issues and economic cooperation.